SILVER CITY >> Students are gathered in Silver City this week to learn how to make New Mexico even better at the New Mexico Economic Development Course, being held at Western New Mexico University.

The week-long event began Sunday with an orientation and a reception for students and invited guests. The course is presented by WNMU, in cooperation with the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network and the New Mexico Rural Alliance.

About 32 students have signed up for this year's course, with most coming from throughout New Mexico.

"It's an opportunity for you to connect the dots to benefit your community," Scott said. "It's a beginning and a place for you to meet other New Mexicans who become friends for life."

Scott said she took the same course in Tucson, Ariz., and wanted to bring it back to New Mexico.

"I approached the then-president of Western, Jerry Gallentine from Peru State College," Scott said. "Western embraced it and now we are on our third president. John Counts was here for 20 years, and (WNMU President Dr. Joseph) Shepard has a great vision."

"This course is a week focused on how to bring out the best in our community and to make New Mexico a better place," Scott said. "We have been through challenging times, but we, as economic developers, have the opportunity to build communities."

Scott said the course can give the necessary tools for economic development to students, who then can take those tools back to their various communities.

"You really have to have the tools. This is the beginning of your journey," Scott said. "Whether you go on to become a certified economic developer or take the tools and ideas back to your communities to make a difference."

One student, Georgia Bruce Sneed, lives in Clayton and writes Western romance novels. She came to this year's course to fill in for others, who could not attend from her area. She serves as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board.

"I write modern-day Western romance. I have a new one coming out in September, called 'The Miracle of the Heart.' It takes place in real-life places. My first book, 'The Jamerson," centers around Northwest New Mexico over a 30-year span of time."

Sneed moved to Silver City in 1978 and lived in the town until 1998. After moving to Illinois to take care of her elderly mom and her ill husband until they passed, Sneed moved back to New Mexico, settling in Clayton.

"I want Clayton to realize the assets it has and to revitalize the area. I want to know how to make Clayton grow again," Sneed said.

Another student taking the class is Jodi Crocker, the new WNMU Foundation director.

"I took the job officially on July 1, but, although we've been in Silver City for two years, I've been doing grad work and this summer I wanted to do it. I've spent maybe two weeks in the office," Crocker said.

She said the university is an integral part of the community.

"The economic development piece is a great tie in for understanding how the university can support economic development of the community. I think the relationship piece between Western and the community has been somewhat stale," Crocker said.

"I want to be a face in the community for the foundation and for the university. My primary goal is to renew relationships and start new ones," she added.